63d Congkkss ) 
Ha /Session / 



SENATE 



DoCUiMENT 

No. 581) 



DANISH AGRICULTURE 



S 469 
.04 S3 
Copy 1 



ADDRESS 



UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE 



SOUTHERN COMMERCIAL CONGRESS 

ON DANISH AGRICULTURE. TOGETHER WITH 
A STATEMENT AS TO CULTIVATION IN DEN- 
MARK, AND DANISH SEED AND SEED-GROWING 



By 



HON. RUDOLF SCHOU 

COUNSELOR OF STATE. COPENHAGEN. DENMARK 






PRESENTED BY MR. FLETCHER 

June 26, 1914. — Referred to the Committee on Printing 



WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

191-1 



k 



v^ 



O- 



REPORTED BY MR. FLETCHER. 



In TiiK vSenate of the' Ignited States, 

October S, 1914. 
Resolved, That the mauuscript submitted by Mr. Fletcher on June 
twenty-sLxth, nineteen hundred and fourteen, entitled "Danish 
agriculture," an address delivered by Honorable Rudolf Schou, 
counselor of state, Copenhagen, Denmark, be printed as a Senate 
document. 
Attest: 

James M. Baker, 

Secretary. 
2 

a OF D, 

OCT 19 1914 



«. 



LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



The Southern Commercial Congress, 

Washington, D. C, June 25, 1914. 
My Dear Senator Fletcher: His Excellency, Rudolf Schou, 
counselor of state, Copenhagen, Denmark, visited the United States 
recently and on Monday, May 18, was the guest of the Southern 
Commercial Congress in Washington. At the University Club, 
under the auspices of the Southern Commercial Congress, and on a 
program with His Excellency Constantin Brun, envoy extraoidinary 
and minister plenipotentiary from Denmark, and Hon. Maurice 
Francis Egan, minister from the United States to Copenhagen, Coun- 
selor Schou delivered a notable address on the subject, "Danish agri- 
culture," including a statement as to cultivation in Denmark and 
Danish seed and seed growing. In view of the notable achievements 
of Denmark in the past half century and the wide public interest in 
the whole question of agricultural cooperation as developed and suc- 
cessfully practiced in Denmark and other European countries, I have 
the honor to forward to you the address of Counselor Schou with the 
suggestion that it be made a public document for the information of 
the people of the United States. 
Yours, very truly, 

Clarence J. Owens, 

Managing Director. 
Hon. Duncan U. Fletcher, 

United States Senate, Washington, D. G. 

3 



DANISH AGRICULTURE. 



Address by Hon. Rudolf Schou, Counselor of State, Copenhagen, Denmark. 

If one were to look back half a century one would find the condi- 
tions then existing in Denmark very different from what they are 
now. At that time Denmark was larger than at the present moment, 
for we possessed Slesvig and Holstein. The cutting off of so impor- 
tant a part of the country weakened it considerably, and the years 
foUowmg upon the loss were very hard. But little by little, as tune 
went on, a more confident spirit began to prevail, and the nation 
joined m endeavoring to solve the problem how best to turn to 
account what was left. And it was really also possible to unite the 
population around this one great common object. 

Agriculture, Denmark's chief source of gain, was the solution, and 
it has done its duty, as we shall enlarge upon in the following remarks. 

While 50 years ago only 63 per cent of Denmark's land was used 
for agricultural purposes, now 75 per cent is cultivated under plow. 
As naturally the best soil was first taken into use, it is the less rich 
soil that last has been cultivated, and it is especially the peninsular 
of Jutland (Jylland) where this has been the case. In this respect 
Denmark stands highest with its 75 per cent cultivated soil. France 
has 53 per cent, Germany 49 per cent, Great Britain and Ireland 
26 per cent arable land. 

At the same time as the area of arable land has been increased so 
considerably, the cultivation and productivity have also been 
im])roved. This is closely connected with the fact that agriculture 
in Denmark has gone over from the sale of cereals to the production 
of butter, bacon, eggs, meat, etc. The soil's fertility has thus been 
greatly increased by the extra manure. In order to be able to feed 
the increased numbers of domestic animals it has neen necessary to 
lay special weight on the growth of root crops, as v/ell as on the 
improvement of the grass and clover fields. 

The number of domestic animals was as follows: 



Horses 312, 000 

Cattle 1, 095, 000 

Sheep 1 , 733, 000 

Pigs I 291,000 



1S81 



329, 000 
1,440,000 
1,530,000 

513, 000 



500,000 
2,218,000 

712,000 
1,441,000 



The soil was laid out as follows: 



1S66 



( Acres. 

Ripe com 2, 425, 000 

Potatoes 95, 000 

Root crops ! 7, 500 

Hav ' 1 , 600, 000 

Pasture land 1, 600, 000 

Fallow ' 4S7, 000 

Meadow i 075, 000 



Acres. 

2, 887, 000 
130,000 
225,000 
66;2, 500 

1,707,500 
632, 500 
577, 500 



Acres. 

2,870,000 
152,000 
716,000 
692,500 

1,435,000 
507,000 
452, 500 



6 DANISH AGRICULTURE. 

One can, through the above figures, see that the amount of hind 
employed for the cultivation of corn has been unchanged the latter 
25 3^ears, but we fhid now cultivated a quantity of mixed corn which 
is partly used green for cattle fodder. The area of land laid out for 
root crops is now three times as large as 25 years ago, and as the root 
crop per acre produces much more cattle food than an equivalent 
acre sown with ( orn, this accounts for the great change. 

If one recalculates corn, root crops, and hay to one common term, 
"unit of corn," one arrives at a harvest yielduig for the year 1888 oi 
2,932,000,000 kilograms of grain. The average for the latter 5 years 
has been 5,290,000,000 kilograms of grain, and consequently for the 
25 years a growth of 80 per cent. 

At the same time the number of cattle has been increased as 
mentioned before. One can also rightly claim that the value of the 
live stock in the course of 30 years has been increased by S50, 000,000, 
and to this must be added the increased value of farm buildings, dead 
stock, machmes, etc., as well as the value of the something like 1,200 
dairies and 43 cooperative bacon factories that have been erected 
by agriculturists. 

This development dates from the period about 30 years ago, 
when the corn prices fell and the economical status of agriculture was 
less good, if not to say bad. The transition from the sale of corn 
to the producing of cattle is a very interesting period in the history of 
Danish agriculture. 

Whilst 34 years ago there was still a surplus export of corn and 
feeding stuffs representing a value of about $4,000,000, there is now 
a surplus import of corn for a value of $30,000,000, and there is 
imported feeding stuffs for $20,000,000. 

At the same time the surplus export of horses, cattle, butter, eggs, 
and meat has risen from $19,000,000 to a value of $126,000,000. 
If one besides this mentions that there in Denmark are to be found 
180,000 estates of an average area of about 50 acres, I will not tire 
the reader with any more figures. 

The surplus export of animal produce represents $14 per acre, und 
if to this we add the home consumption in Denmark, wnose popula- 
tion consists of 2,750,000, we arrive at a production value of animal 
produce of $22 to $24 per acre for eveiy acre of the entire country's 
cultivated area. 

There is no question here of discu-sing whether this residt is beiter 
or less good than that arrived at in other lands. Partly because a 
comparison would be impossible, and at the same time it would be 
of little value, for an entire country's production is not altered by 
bringing forward another country's more favorable results. It is suf- 
ficient to state that there is every reason to believe that greater 
results will be arrived at in the future. 

This period also marks the establi-hing of agricultural experimental 
work. We first started with experiments relative to dairy farming, 
and on basis of these the cooperative dairies were built. The butter 
which was produced on the ordinary smaller farms only obtained a 
price which was the half of what the larger estates were able to com- 
mand, and the object was to find a solution which would place them 
all on an equal footing. Tliis we find now, thanks to the cooperative 
dairies. 



DANISH AGRICULTURE. 7 

Besides dairy-farmino; experimental trials we have carried out 
experimental trials in the question of fodd( r. with the question of 
the cultivation of plants, their improvement and refining; experi- 
ments with fertilizers, the storing and preservation of manure; 
experiments with the feeding and slaughtering of pigs of various 
hreeds; experiments with poultry, etc. 

The foundation for these experiments has been the economical 
|)rofit expressed in figures, and the results of these experiments are 
carried out in practical hfe. 

One of the outcomes of this is the control with each individual 
cow's yielding and the quantity of fodder consumed, as well as the 
control with the growth of })igs in comparison to the food consumed. 
We can also add that there are undertaken scientific investigations 
and trials. 

By means of agricultural dairy farming and housekeeping schools 
the young folks acquire the requisite knowledge necessary in order to 
understand the experiments; hkewise they enlarge their practical 
insight by residing with other agriculturahsts. It is likewise not at 
all imcommon that the sons of peasants are sent to foreign countries, 
and again in that manner enlarge the horizon of their views. 

Protection for agriculture is unknown, and therefore it must en- 
deavor to make itself so capable that it is in itself able to compete 
with all the world. 

The cooperative movement has reached a high stage of develop- 
ment. There exist six associations or societies whose object it is to 
buy up feeding stuffs, artificial manure, and machines, and these 
have again branched off into 2,380 local divisions with a turnover of 
112,000,000. 

One cooperative life insurance society has 160,000 members wnth 
a premium revenue of about $800,000; the cooperative accident 
insurance society, with 65,000 members, has a premium revenue of 
$180,000; 1,187* cooperative dairies have 160,000 members and a 
turnover of $76,000,000 and prepare 700,000,000 gallons of milk; 6 
butter export societies to which 267 dairies are connected turn over 
$10,000,000; 43 cooperative bacon factories, with 135,000 members, 
kill about 1,900,000 pigs and turn over $38,000,000; and there are 6 
societies for the export of eggs whose turnover is $5,200,000. Finally 
must be mentioned that 10 bacon factories have started. their own 
office in London for the sale of their produce, and this turns over 
about $7,500,000. One arrives at a turnover of $127,000,000. As 
before mentioned, there are to be found in Denmark about 180,000 
estates; these figures may be calculated to represent about $700 p^^r 
estate, or, in other words, about $14 per acre land. 

From the abov3 one can best judge of what importance the cooper- 
ative societies are for the daily business of a farm and what a decisive 
influence the same cooperative societies' work has had and has on 
Danish agriculture's economical outcome. 

Through its animal production agriculture has likewise become 
industrial and it is obliged, like every other form of industry, to 
endeavor to buy its raw material as cheap as possible and sell its 
finished product for its highest attainable price. These cooperative 
societies may be said to act as regulators for the entire turnover in 
tlie s-ime \\'ise as the private trade regulates the cooperative societies. 



8 DANISH AGRICULTURE. 

Tiicro is n continuous competition between these two forms of bust • 
ness wliich without doubt is very beneficial. 

The cooperative societies' members are obliged to buy, for example, 
all their feeding stuffs and artificial manures through the societies and 
must also deliver all their milk, pigs, and eggs to the societies. A 
comparison as to what the cooperative members pay or obtain and 
what outsiders pay or obtain gives a good test as to where it is most 
profitable to deal. 

No capital is inserted when these cooperative societies are founded, 
as the entire sum needed for their est'ibiishment and tlie working 
capital is lent on mutual guaranty and gradually paid off. Every 
member has the right to a vote, and the profit is divided in compar- 
ison to the turnover. The direction is in the agriculturists' own 
hands, and they thus obtain a ^ood insight into business conditions. 
Whan one takes into consideration that there exists several thousand 
societies it can easily be calculated that several thousand agricul- 
turists take part in the direction. The daily technical or commercial 
administration is left to managers having special professional knowl- 
edge, and these are as a rule well paid. 

The mutual guaranty has only in certain cases been effective, and 
abuse or swindle is exceedingly rare. Thus the whole system of the 
commercial side of the farming has the advantage that all business 
now is able to be carried on through the medium of all the various 
forms of cooperation, and so the farmer can now, if he wishes to. 
himself remain at home and look after his farm instead of being 
obliged to go to town. 

Through this amalgamation of agriculture and industry a con- 
siderable turnover is obtained, and no little money passes through 
the hands of the farmer. As a largo working capital is necessary, 
loans on mortgages are considerable; the same applies as in the cases 
of industrial concerns — the working capital is borrowed and turned 
over fairly quickly. One can reckon that 43 per cent of the soil's 
value with the addition of buildings, stock, and dead stock is 
mortgaged. 

The (juestion has often been raised as to whether it is advisable for 
the farmer to use so much outside capital. One must take into con- 
sideration that the Danish law forbids joining estates, and a man who 
buys a farm can not reckon on behig able to buy the neighboring 
land when he has put together some money and thus add that to 
liis property. 

if he wishes to have a farm of, for example, GU acres, he must at 
once buy a farm of that dimension, for it is only the exception to 
find the farmer bu\'ing first a small property and then selling it in 
order to obtain a larger one. Pie has scarcely ever ready money 
with which to pay for the whole farm. He has besides some capital 
a good training, energy, and confidence in himself. This want of 
capital is not taken advantage of by capitalists, for he can get credit 
and do his business through the cooperative societies. And he has 
that advantage o^er others carrying on business that he does not 
compete direct vvith other producei-s. The other farmers vill im- 
part their experience to him, and he in return will give back his. 

As the access to money is fairly easy, the prices for land may per- 
haps be driven somewhat up. Th(» price of land may, of course, have 
a ccrtniu iin|)ortriuoe, but um^ vital j^oiut is the fanner's caj>;il)iHiio:-', 



DANISH AGRICULTUKE. 9 

and one rarely really finds a clever man paying too much for his 
land, whilst the less competent will always pay too much. Personal 
cleverness and ability are here of perhaps equal importance as the 
price of land. 

Agriculture has one great advantage, and that is that its workers 
have all had about the same form of training, are accustomed to the 
same way of living, and think in the same fashion. They are a 
homogeneous class. This is perhaps the real solution as to why they 
in so large numbers are able to work together in economical under- 
takings to such a degree that even one agriculturist's existence is 
dependent on the existence of the majority of his colleagues. Their 
interests are the same. The great object for thom all is to keep clear 
of the capitalist's power and influence, to buy cheap and sell dear, 
and, produce everything at the lowest cost. 

The clo^e uni-on of interests results in the fact that all connected 
with agriculture have the same interest in the sale of their products, 
and as these for the mam part are exported, all are interested in 
Danish goods enjoying a good reputation abroad and in their being 
dispo-ed of with the least difficulty; again, this mutual interest 
loads to the produce being as similar as possible and of the best 
possible quality and sanitar}'- condition, and besides in its being 
free from adulteration. 

Tliis has left its traces in legislation dealing partly with the treat- 
ment of the production and its export and also in the marking or 
rather branding of the goods. Of these laws I will only mention the 
mo4 important. 

The manufacturing of butter is under close control, and it is for- 
bidden to sell butter which contains more than 16 per cent water as 
well as butter to which has been added preservatives; butter con- 
taining 16 to 20 per cent water may be sold in Denmark, but only 
under the mark "Water Butter." 

All Danish butter which is exported must likewise be prepared 
from pasteurized cream at a dairy notified and approved of by the 
authorities and (with the exception of butter in tins) must be pro- 
vided with the Government brand. 

There are particular conditions referring to the dairies; amongst 
others, every dairy which stands under control shall be liable at any 
given telegraphic notice to send m a cask of butter to the Govern- 
ment laboratory. The butter stands 10 days in the laboratory and 
is then judged by three separate sets of experts. If the butter is 
inferior to a certain given standard, the dairy loses its right to export 
butter, as the Government brand is taken away from the dairy. If 
the butter is of a less good quality, but still not mider the standard, 
the dairy shall send for a Government consulting expert, and after 
some time a new cask is sent for to be examined. If the dairy loses 
its right to use the Government brand, but would wisli to regain the 
right of employing it, the dairy sends in a cask of butter, and if this 
is of a good quality (it must be considerably above the lowest regula- 
tion standard), the dairy receives the Government's brand once more. 

The Government brand is placed on two staves of the cask as well 
a:^ on strips of paper, which are laid on the butter itself, both on the 
bottom and on the top of the cask. 

By means of a special number system oivi is able to control, the 
butter can not be changtHl or tampered wiili in tho ca^ks. 



10 DANISH AGRICULTURE. 

All imported butier shall be marked "Foreign." By means of the 
margarine legislation it is excluded that there can take place any 
confounding of butter with margarine. 

Bacon, meats, sausages, and meat conserves which are exported 
from Denmark are under Government control and prepared m fac- 
tories, where during the working hours there is constantly presimt 
a controller appointed by the Government. 

Every piece of meat for export is marked with the Government 
brand, and cA'cry sausage is soldered, and every hermetically sealed 
tin is supplied with a special mark. 

The control takes place at the export or public slaughterhouses, 
which are authorized by the Government, who at the same time has 
given minute instructions for the control. 

For meat from pigs there is employed a special brand, which is 
branded in red into the bacon itself and is a guaranty for the bacon 
being perfectly healthy, without the least sign of tuberculosis, and 
prepared under sanitary conditions. 

These two Government brands bear guaranty for the goods being in 
sound and healthy condition and for likewise the unadulterated con- 
dition of the said goods. 

The Danish producers are, as mentioned before, interested in 
various societies and economical unions, and this collaboration goes 
so far that even their goods are supplied with the same brand. It 
may appear strange that things have gone so far. But the fact is that 
little by little, as the quality of Danish butter has been improved, 
there was a tendency abroad to try and sell otlier countries' goods. 
But at the same time there was a number of Danisli producers who 
did not exert themselves to produce the best goods, and who never- 
theless obtained fairly good prices because their goods were Danish. 
This gave rise to a criticism of the quality of the goods, so tliat the 
Government brand is only granted to those producing the best 
quality and not to less good produce. It became apparent tliat 
Danish agriculture could only keep up its good reputation by export- 
ing solely the best wares and that it neither could nor woidd put up 
with its reputation being exploited in favor of goods whicli were not 
of a good quality. 

This gave rise to the system of a universal brand and the controlling 
of all goods destined for export, and it is on that basis tliat one can 
guarantee for the quality of all goods bearing this brand in common. 

By beginning first with uniting in local centers these were gradually 
extended to larger districts, and at length one has gone so far as to 
unite in one great ring around a joint or common brand, which again 
is an expression for Danish agriculture's joint interest in the (|uaHty 
of the goods. 

With this joint brand, which extends over goods of a value of 
$85,000,000, Danish agriculture has given proof that it has one great 
common interest and that it will work for one great common aim. 

It is the Danish Government which, according to Danish agricul- 
ture's expressed wish, now stands as representative for the Danish 
agriculture's export of goods, which, according to the express wish of 
Danish farmers, shall be as good as possible and irrespective of the 
fact that anv single producer may thus ])e excluded from the right 
of exporting. 



DANISH AGKICULTUKE. 11 

We have now come so far that people understand the unimportance 
of the single individual compared with the mutual industrial and 
commercial mterest of the agriculturists as a whole. 

It has been said that our system is an attack on the individual's 
personal freedom to do what he likes to further his own economical 
interest. 

We draw the limit in the same place as Herbert Spencer, saying 
that we want "Freedom of that real kind which consists in the ability 
of each to carry on his own life without hindrance from others as 
long as he does not hinder them." 



SEED CULTIVATION IN DENMARK. 

While Denmark previously imported all the seed for growing 
purposes, the country commenced to grow seed about the beginning 
of this century, and, besides cultivating sufficient for home use, 
lai"ge quantities of grass and root seeds have been exported during 
the last four or five years. 

As soon as a rational seed cultivation was started, the leading 
agricultural men discovered the necessity, especially for the sake of 
export, of the cultivation bemg made in such a way that the buyers 
get full guaranty that the seed produced and delivered is absolutely 
first class in ever}'^ respect. It is therefore necessary that the original 
seed sown for seed-growing purposes is of the best and most improved 
pedigrees. The Danish seed nas already succeeded in securing a 
good reputation not only in Denmark but also abroad, o^ving to the 
Fact that the Danish climate is excellent for producing different 
varieties of good grass, root, and cabbage seed. 

However, m order to msure that buyers get only absolutely first- 
class seed, an extensive control takes place by the Danish Koyal 
Government's seed-trial stations undertaking trials. The results are 
published everv three years — after each trial, lasting three years, is 
finished. In that way the seed growers get information as to which 
pedigrees are the best and where to get them. 

A large number of seed-growmg farmers have formed a society 
under the style of "Danish Farmers' Cooperative Association for 
Seed Growing," in order to have their seed inspected by an intensive 
control. From the headquarters in Roskilde the growers receive the 
original seed of first-class controlled pedigrees, and after harvesting 
they deliver the crop back to the headquarters at Koskilde for uni- 
form cleaning and packing. All the fields are inspected several 
times during the growing, and the result is that the seed from this 
society is the best procurable. The said society annually delivers 
the Danish farmers about one-third of all the seed used m Denmark 
and has already secured a large export trade. 

DANISH SEED. 

The Danish farmer is reputed all over the world as being No. 1 on 
the agricultural territory, with an open eye for the last inventions and 
a good mind to new experiments, conscious of the fact that nothing 
in the world is perfect, but always can be improved. 

The reason v/hy, in spite of the small extent of his country, the 
Danish farmer has gained his prominent position amongst the nations 
and that the Danish agricultural products have become reputed as 
being absolutely first class is principally due to his indefatigable efforts 
continually to send improved products into the market. 

About 50 years ago Denmark: began the exportation of these prod- 
ucts, v\ iioso world-wide fame may now be said to be a fact. Witn the 
bBginuiiig of this century Denmark made advances as a seed-exporting 
12 



DANISH AGRICULTURE. 13 

eonntry, and during the last 10 years the surplus for exportation has 
been continually increasing. 

The reason A\hy the country during such a short period has been 
able to establish a rather considerable seed export is not only because 
of the climate having proved highly suitable for seed growing to such 
an extent that the varieties that have best succeeded — cabbage seed, 
gi-ass seed (especially Cocksfoot), and chiefly root seeds — appear to be 
superior to foreign seed of the same varieties, but particularly owing 
to the system according to which the cultivation is carried on". 

In due time the formation of cooperative societies made it possible 
to produce Danish butter of a quality of the well-known high level, 
and therefore the seed growers found that the same way had to bf- 
followed — i. e., to join as many of the growlers as possible for coopera- 
tive working, in order to manage delivery of excellent and uniform 
seed m quantities of due importance. Until, therefore, the coopera- 
tive prmciple was adopted Danish seed growing did not get into proper 
shape, and not until then did the Danish seed become worth consid- 
eration so far as its export was concerned. 

As a cooperative society to promote Danish seed growuig, the 
Danske Landboforeningers Froforsyning (Danish Farmers' Co- 
operative Association for Seed Growing) at Roskilde was formed a 
number of years ago. The procedure of this society is as follow^s: 
In its own trial grounds the best obtainable origin seed is produced 
and delivered to the growlers. Throughout the entire growing period 
the seed is strictly controlled and the society effects the sale of the 
crop, as all the growers have to deliver all of their seed to the head- 
quarters at Roskilde, in reality making the growers the actual and 
responsible sellers. On account of the effective control to which 
the growers are subjected they offer to the buyers the utmost obtain- 
able guaranty as to the truth of the growing of the seed. The seed 
is cleaned at Roskilde, where it is also bagged and provided with 
the plumb of the society. Conse((uently the entire growing and 
handling of the seed are subject to ideal principles. 

Besides growing seed for ordinary sale, the association also under- 
takes contract growing for other countries, and such growing is 
effected under the same control and with the same guaranty that 
apply to the seed of their own orign. 

SEED GROWING IN DENMARK. 

It is well known aU over that Denmark is an agricultural country, 
and for its agricultural products — butter and bacon— has for many 
years been considered IN o. 1 in the foreign markets. This position is 
still maintained, even to such an extent that foreign buyers pay an 
overprice for Danish qualities as compared with similar products 
from other countries. 

However, during the last few years a new hne in the agricultural 
territory in Denmark has appeared — i. e., seed growing — and it is 
evident that Denmark is particularly favored by nature also for that 
purpose, seeing that the Danish varieties, particularly of grass, root, 
and cabbage seed, give a better result both in quality and quantity 
than ]3roducts from other countries. The Danish seed is vigorous 
and hardy, being grown in a rather severe chmate. 



14 DANISH AGRICULTURE. 

Seed growing in Denmark is started on a very solid basis, the 
Danish Government having from tlie commencement, by using the 
very best pedigrees, made trials with the different pedigrees in order 
to msure a first-class product — aU with a view to gaining a high 
reputation as well at home as in the foreign markets. 

Having the proper impression of the necessity of getting first- 
class and reliable seed for growing, a number of agricultural societieg 
took up the matter and in the year 1906 formed the Danske Land- 
boforcningers Fr0forsyning (Danish Farmers' Cooperative Associa- 
tion for Seed Growing). From the headquarters of this society at 
Roskilde the growers get their original seed, and after harvesting 
deliver their crop to Roskilde for the purpose of careful cleaning, 
after which it is distributed to their respective members or to buyers, 
as the case may be. 

Clover, grass, root, and cabbage seed are grown. The three latter 
varieties seem to grow excellentfy in Denmark, besides having pedi- 
grees superior to the foreign ones. The acreage used for seed grow- 
ing in Denmark amounts at present to 18,000 nectares, and of these 
about 4,000 or 5,000 hectares are under the control of the said 
society at Roskilde. 

The quantity of root seeds and grass seeds cultivated at present 
is now so large that Denmark has annually a surplus for export pur- 
poses, and this Danish seed, grown under a very intensive control 
and cleaned on the most modern machines, easily finds buyers all 
over Europe and North America, where the varieties appear to grow 
very S'ltisiactorily and to yield nice results. It is needless to say 
that seed growing for export purposes is carried on under the same 
intensive control as the seed grown for the members themselves. 

o 



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